'Khoobsurat', 2014

'Khoobsurat', 2014

'Dolly Ki Doli', 2015

'Dolly Ki Doli', 2015

'Dolly Ki Doli', 2015

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'Dolly Ki Doli', 2015

'Dolly Ki Doli', 2015

25 / 28

'Neerja', 2016

'Neerja', 2016

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'Neerja', 2016

'Neerja', 2016

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'Neerja', 2016

'Neerja', 2016

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'Neerja', 2016

'Neerja', 2016

If there’s one thing Sonam Kapoor is known for, it’s being fearless. From taking red carpet risks to openly speaking out on global issues like gender equality, the star teaches her fans the importance of standing up and standing out on a daily basis.

And Kapoor’s strong streak extends to her silver screen roles too. Since her Bollywood debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya in 2007, the actor has portrayed some very powerful female characters, the most recent being that of Neerja Bhanot, a 22-year-old Pan Am flight attendant who lost her life protecting innocent passengers during the Mumbai-New York flight hijack in 1986. The film earned Kapoor a special National Award mention this year, and is undoubtedly one of her best works till date.

Amongst Kapoor’s other on-screen personas, the ones that very obviously empower women include Bittu Sharma of Delhi-6, a fiercely independent young woman aiming to become the next Indian Idol, and Raanjhanaa’s Zoya Haider, a village girl who grows to become an activist. But her lighter films carry some special messages too.

While Aisha’s titular character transformed India’s perception of fashion in 2010, it was Khoobsurat’s Milli Chakravarty that taught little girls everywhere that being different from the crowd is always a good thing. Simran Kaur, the unapologetic romantic from I Hate Luv Storys never stopped chasing her career goals, and con artist Dolly brought out the badass in every woman who watched her antics in theatres. In Kapoor’s own words, “I want to be remembered for good work or not remembered at all.” Here’s to all the path-breaking on-screen avatars to come.